The courts
arrest
Taking someone into custody on probable cause that they committed a crime. An arrest is not a charge, and a charge is not a conviction.
In full
An arrest may be made on a warrant or, for offenses committed in an officer's presence and in other recognized circumstances, without one. A person arrested must be brought before a judicial officer promptly, generally within 48 hours, for a probable cause determination and the setting of release conditions. Custodial questioning triggers the Miranda warning.
Where to go next
Keep going
Browse every term in the glossary, or see the vocabulary in motion in the How government works walkthroughs.
A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.